Hops & Hope
Hops & Hope is a weekly gathering where curiosity, compassion, and meaningful conversation come together. We meet Mondays from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the W Down Under in Washington, IL, creating a welcoming space to explore meaningful questions and learn from one another’s stories. It’s a place where we talk openly about politics, religion, and cultural issues to deepen understanding, see things from new perspectives, and create a safe space to ask the questions that often don’t feel safe anywhere else.
What We Value
Hops & Hope is built on a handful of simple commitments that shape every gathering. They are not rules so much as reminders of how we try to show up for one another.
We open our space with bold hospitality, inviting every person, no matter their background or beliefs, to feel valued, safe, and seen. We listen with empathy and presence, seeking to understand rather than react, because every story deserves our attention and care. We engage our differences in ways that build understanding, deepen connection, and move conversations forward, choosing thoughtful questions over assumptions. Curiosity builds bridges where judgment builds barriers.
We also try to extend grace, to ourselves and to each other, recognizing that growth and honest dialogue take patience and openness. And we resist the pull toward isolation by choosing connection. Through meaningful conversation and shared humanity, we hope to strengthen one another and the community we are all a part of.
These values guide every conversation at Hops & Hope, whether the topic is light or difficult, familiar or new.
Discussion Topics
Oct. 19: What can hard seasons teach us that an easy one never could?
Oct. 26: What helps you notice your own blind spots as quickly as you notice other people’s?
Nov. 2: What’s one thing men and women tend to misunderstand about each other’s experiences?
Nov. 9: What keeps you loyal to a group, belief, or institution even after you’ve seen serious problems in it?
Nov. 16: When, if ever, should a difference in beliefs end a relationship, and what has helped you stay connected when it didn’t?
Rosie W.
"I found something truly extraordinary and exactly the community I was hoping for, a group of people from all walks of life who listen with care, respect each other deeply, and make space for every voice. At Hops & Hope, it’s never about winning an argument or being the loudest voice in the room, but intentionally cherishing the person behind the words and walking away with a deeper understanding of the community we are a part of."
Eric P.
"Hops and Hope fostered honest, thoughtful dialogue around often-divisive topics. I deeply appreciated the spirit of the night, the listening, learning, and genuinely generative conversations. It offered a countercultural model of engagement, showing what’s possible when people choose curiosity over conflict and create space for hope to grow."
Halle F.
“Hops & Hope has become one of the most meaningful parts of my week! It has shown me how powerful it is when people with different perspectives choose to listen and learn from each other with openness and kindness. I always leave feeling heard, supported, and uplifted. It’s a rare space where honesty leads to understanding, and understanding builds real community and friendships!”